Edward I was such a king while his son Edward II certainly was not. It took a king of considerable military and political acumen and ruthless resolve to keep the English nobility in order and to force them to pursue the national or royal interest as opposed to their own individual interests. A similar politico-social system was in place in most areas of Western Europe. The King had to contend with a number of powerful noblemen each with large regional estates and substantial military resources. Once the local forces had been overcome in open battle Edward’s system of occupation was to build a network of stone castles or walled towns each occupied by an armed force under a loyal local or English knight.Įdward I died on 6th July 1307 and his son Edward II became King of England. The Background to the Battle of Bannockburn:Įdward I, King of England from 1239 to 1307 and father to King Edward II, conquered Scotland as he conquered Wales. They rode lighter horses.Įdward I, King of England, Maleus Scotorum, and father of Edward II, 1239 to 1307: Battle of Bannockburn 23rd and 24th June 1314 Socially inferior soldiers such as men-at-arms would wear less armour and carry a shield, short lance, sword, axe, bludgeon and dagger. Other knights on the field, including enemies, would be able to identify a knight from the heraldic devices he wore. An emblem might be worn on the helmet and a pennon at the point of the lance. The heraldic devices of the knight were emblazoned on his shield and surcoat, a long cloth garment worn over the armour, and his horse’s trappings. He rode a destrier or heavy horse strong enough to carry a fully equipped rider at speed. He carried a shield, long lance, sword and, according to taste, axe or bludgeon and dagger. A fully equipped knight wore chain mail, re-enforced by plate armour, and a steel helmet. The most important element in the feudal array was the mounted knighthood of Angevin England. In order to re-conquer Scotland from Robert the Bruce King Edward II of England summoned his feudal army. Uniforms and equipment at the Battle of Bannockburn: Winner of the Battle of Bannockburn: The Scots trounced the English in the 2 day battle. Robert de Bruce’s army comprised foot soldiers with a force of around 600 light horsemen commanded by Sir Robert Keith, the Marischal. William Mackenzie put the Scots at around 7,000 men. The eminent Scottish historian William Mackenzie came to the conclusion that the English army comprised around 3,000 mounted men, knights and men-at-arms, and around 13,000 foot soldiers, including a detachment of Welsh archers. Size of the Armies at the Battle of Bannockburn: There is great controversy over every aspect of the Battle of Bannockburn due to the lack of contemporary accounts. War: The Scottish War of Independence against the English Crown of Edward I and Edward II.Ĭontestants at the Battle of Bannockburn: A Scots army against an army of English, Scots and Welsh.Ĭommanders at the Battle of Bannockburn: Robert the Bruce, King of the Scots, against Edward II, King of England. The time of Edward II: Battle of Bannockburn 23rd June 1314: picture
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